July 01, 2013 : Gearing Up for Tour de Cause at Ohio University Lancaster

- Cheri RussoCommunications and Marketing Manager

Lancaster – Organizers are getting ready for the 4th Annual Tour de Cause, which is being held at the Ohio University Lancaster Campus on July 12 and 13. The bike tour raises money to battle the drug addiction issue in Lancaster and Fairfield County.

"Our board feels it is a critical issue for us to support," said Tour de Cause Chairman Ron Burris. "In 2012, the Tour de Cause raised more than $73,000."

Ohio University Lancaster donates the use of space at the facility for a kick-off dinner and the ride itself each year.The bicycle tour runs through Fairfield County and begins at OUL. The money is donated to The Recovery Center for drug education, awareness and treatment programs in Lancaster and Fairfield County.

"It's a great partnership we have with Ohio University Lancaster," said Burris. "When this started, we were looking for green space and a place close to the bike path and Ohio University Lancaster has given us great support."

The band "Bad Influence" plays at the kick-off dinner every year free of charge. OUL Professor Associate Professor of Mathematics Franco Guerriero is a member of the band.

"They believe in the cause and believe in what we're doing," said Burris. "They have played for the last three years."

More information about how to attend the dinner or sign up for the bike tour can be found at www.tourdecause.org. About 550 cyclists took part in the tour last year. But Burris said it was a rainy day.He believes if the weather is nice this year, more cyclist will come out.

"We have raised about $180,000 over the last three years," said Burris. "We only hope the event keeps growing.